Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

One of the functions of the Chief State Solicitor's office is to act for the State in inquiries established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 and to provide legal staff to act for tribunals. Does the Taoiseach know how much time this pursuit takes up in the overall work of the CSSO? What is the cost to the State of employing legal teams for tribunals? Is this advice made available to the Taoiseach on an ongoing basis, presumably through the Office of the Attorney General?

The CSSO also advises and represents the State in asylum and refugee law cases. Is the CSSO under instruction to scrutinise EU immigration law for loopholes that allow the State to limit residency rights? This seems to be the only explanation for the Government's recent decision to refuse residency to spouses of EU citizens under the purported terms of an EU directive which has the opposite intent, that is, to facilitate residency applications. This has been the subject of a number of parliamentary questions I have tabled for the appropriate Minister.

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